AFAF charity spotlight: AFEV helps enlisted families Published April 28, 2011 By Sarah Olaciregui 66th Air Base Group Public Affairs HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. -- Hanscom military members have shown Service Before Self when it comes to helping Airmen and their families for the Air Force Assistance Fund campaign. As of last week, approximately $15,000 had been raised toward the goal of $21,157. With just one week left, officials are confident the goal will be met. The AFAF raises funds for four charitable affiliates that provide support to the Air Force family. This week's charity spotlight is the Air Force Enlisted Village. Air Force Enlisted Village The Air Force Enlisted Village, formerly called the Air Force Enlisted Widows Home Foundation, was founded in 1967 after the Air Force Sergeant's Association conducted a survey and found that more than 50,000 widows of enlisted men were living in poverty. As a result, a group of active duty and retired Air Force noncommissioned officers, assisted by former Air Force Chief of Staff General and Mrs. John D. Ryan, founded an organization dedicated to providing financial assistance and housing to surviving spouses of retired Air Force enlisted members. The foundation's primary mission is to provide financial assistance and housing to surviving spouses of Air Force enlisted members. Those spouses with the greatest need have priority, according to the foundation's website at www.afenlistedwidows.org. Low pay and frequent military moves leave some dependants without the opportunity of careers, home equities, retirement plans or any significant assets. The foundation helps active duty members, as well. "Adult dependents -- typically parents of active-duty members or their spouses -- are eligible for permanent housing on a space-available basis," the website states. The Air Force Enlisted Village consists of two separate living facilities. The first is Theresa Village, located in Fort Walton Beach, Fla. The second is Bob Hope Village, located in Shalimar, Fla. Both are only minutes from Eglin Air Force Base and Hurlburt Field. The Theresa Village houses 103 two-bedroom first and second floor apartments, two one-bedroom first floor apartments and seven three-bedroom houses. The community center houses a dining room, kitchen, small chapel, library, gift shop, arts and crafts room and a game room. An outdoor swimming pool and picnic area is also included on the campus, the website states. The Bob Hope village offers 224 one-bedroom apartments and 32 two-bedroom apartments. A few of the other highlights of the village include a chapel, community center, a welcome center and an outdoor garden and nature trail. The Hawthorn House, located in Shalimar, Fla. on the Bob Hope Village campus, is an assisted living community providing a home to military widows, retirees and active duty dependents. For more information, contact the Air Force Enlisted Village through their website at www.afenlistedwidows.org, via email at afef@afev.us or by calling 1-800- 258-1413. Contributions The AFAF campaign also benefits the Air Force Aid Society, the Air Force Village Foundation and the General and Mrs. Curtis LeMay Foundation. Hanscom personnel who want to make a contribution to one or more of the charities can do so online by visiting the AFAF website, www.afassistancefund.org, and completing the form. Once completed, the form can be printed and turned in to a unit point of contact. Hanscom AFAF installation project officers: 1st Lt. Cameron Linder: 781-377-1538 Master Sgt. Richard Olivarez: 781-377-5297 Unit project officers: Electronic Systems Center staff: Airman 1st Class Yasmin Gee C2ISR Directorate: Capt. Warren Anderson ESC/HSG: Samantha Welch and Matthew Ambrose ESC/HIS: 2nd Lt. Frank Vicari ESC/HSJ: 1st Lt. Gary Priest and 1st Lt David Frisbey ESC/HSN: 1st Lt. Christopher Monson and 1st Lt. Michael Bolton ESC/HSS: 1st Lt. Meghan Lansford ESC/PK: William Robinson and Capt. Axel Clark ESC/HNA: 2nd Lt. Michael Pond and 2nd Lt. Joseph Calidonna ESC/HNI: Charles Gisondi ESC/HNS: 1st Lt. Troy Novak ESC/HBA: Capt. Paul Lienhard ESC/FM: Capt. Catherine O'Donnel ESC/HGBC: Capt. Stephen Kalinowski Band of Liberty: Airman 1st Class Rachel Maclary 66th Air Base Group: 2nd Lt. Brent Olson and Staff Sgt. Julius Stokes 66th Medical Squadron: Capt. Stela Striligas and Susan Cascalheira